Sachin Tendulkar cautioned India before their next ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 match against Australia on June 9 (Sunday) at The Oval.
India showed signs of improvement of South Africa in their opening match on Wednesday with Rohit Sharma taking centrestage with an unbeaten hundred (122*) after Jasprit Bumrah and the wrist spinners – Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav – confined the Proteas to 227 for 8.
Sachin prompted Team India not to get self-satisfied and convey the certainty picked up from the triumph over South Africa against an ‘extreme’ Australian side on Sunday.
“All the confidence you have gained from this game (vs South Africa), pack that in your kit back and get to your next game. Australians are going to be a tough team to handle because of the combination and confidence they have at the moment,” Sachin disclosed to India Today.
Australia rose to No. 2 with exciting win against West Indies on Thursday. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc took five wickets.
“Australia at The Oval, it’s going to be a good game. The pitch has slightly spongy bounce and I think Australians are more used to that. Oval is one pitch where I feel there is a little bit of extra bounce which might favor Australia slightly,” Sachin said.
Terming Australia an alternate side, Sachin hailed David Warner, giving the opener credit for the turnaround. “They are a different side (after Smith and Warner’s return). Whatever I saw of David Warner in the IPL, he looked extremely fit and above all he looked determined and motivated to go out there and get runs,” Sachin included. Warner had scored a battling 89 in Australia’s tournament opener against Afghanistan.
Sachin, in any case, was sure of India doing great in the match. “…But I feel Team India have the ammunition to go out and do what is required.The Australian attack is a good attack but Indian team is geared to play that attack. We have done well in the past against that bowling attack. Guys will be ready to face them,” Tendulkar included.
